Two sides chasing European qualification will clash in gameweek 37 of the Turkish Super Lig when Istanbul Basaksehir host Trabzonspor at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors need to avoid defeat to guarantee a European spot, while the hosts must do the same to remain in fourth place heading into the final matchday.
Match preview
Istanbul Basaksehir's push for a top-three finish continued last weekend as the Grey Owls secured a 1-0 victory over Sivasspor at the BG Group 4 Stadium on Sunday, thanks to Davidson's goal just before half time.
Cagdas Atan's side have now won five consecutive Super Lig games and sit in fourth place with 58 points after 36 matches, currently occupying the Europa Conference League qualification spot.
With two games remaining in the season, Basaksehir are just three points behind Trabzonspor in the Europa League spot as the two sides are set to face off on Saturday.
The reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, making this weekend's result crucial for both teams heading into the final matchday. Head-to-head record is the first tiebreaker in case both teams finish on the same number of points and a win here for either side could be the difference after the final game.
Neither side has been able to dominate the other in recent meetings, but the hosts are unbeaten in their last five home games, and they will hope for strong home support once again.
Trabzonspor bounced back from their disappointing defeat to Samsunspor with a 3-0 win over Istanbulspor at Papara Park last Sunday.
Paul Onuachu scored two goals within a minute of each other for an early brace before Thomas Meunier added a third in the second half.
Abdullah Avci's side have 61 points after 36 matches, holding a slender three-point lead over Saturday's opponents, Basaksehir. They will hope to at least maintain the lead going into the final day.
However, the Black Sea Storm lost their last away game and will be hoping to avoid a repeat when they visit a ground where they have lost the last two times.
Team News
Istanbul Basaksehir will remain without Efe Arda Koyuncu who is sidelined until the end of May due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Patryk Szysz is out also for the Grey Owls, as he is also recovering from a cruciate ligament issue as well with no return date in sight.
Trabzonspor will remain without Huseyin Turkmen who is sidelined with a muscle injury and the date of his return is uncertain.
Egyptian forward Trezeguet is sidelined until the end of May with a thigh injury that has kept him out of the last two matches.
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Sengezer; Duarte, Ba, Opoku, Dubois; Ergun; Turuc, Sahiner, Kemen, Davidson; Piatek
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Meunier, Mendy, Denswil, Elmali; Pepe, Gunes, Bardhi; Visca, Onuachu, Fountas
We say: Istanbul Basaksehir 1-0 Trabzonspor
Basaksehir have been in incredible form and they have also won their last two home matches against the visitors. It's an important tie for both teams, which is why we expect it to be a tight affair. However, we think the hosts will edge this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
